Pauline is nothing if not thorough, when it comes to weeding!

 

Remember when board meetings meant something quite different.

 

Thirteen sheets of plasterboard later and downstairs room at 'The Project' is sheeted out, other than the former doorway which has yet to be decided upon with regards to how it is handled. The house formerly had three doors at the front and we are not yet sure how Bâtiment de France  will want us to handle that!

One for Vendredi à vélo - from days when we were allowed to travel.

 

One for 'Vendredi a velo' - not difficult to snap a bicycle in Amsterdam - scary to think this was way back in 2012!

An indication of spring...

Friends brought us these tulips at the weekend and they remain a reminder that spring is surely just around the corner.

Wednesday is for windows - let's start here...

One of our little windows here at the the Old Walnut Mill

 

Who would have thought?

 

21st February and yesterday it hit 18 degrees here in Barrou and where we intended have aperos in the  courtyard, we ended up staying there for lunch, lovely afternoon!  

Mon banc dominical / My Sunday Bench - the round bench

There are so many lovely benches here in our beautiful part of France but what I wouldn't give, to be sharing the round bench in Ayr in Scotland at the moment! 

Encouraging sign...

First daffodils are through at the Old Walnut Mill - spring is surely just around the corner.
 

More progress - happy to be hitting the ceiling.

 

Getting back in the swing and a spot of recycling...

A delivery from Bricomarche yesterday means I won't be getting bored anytime soon. The 'slats' in the ceiling are from single beds that we used to have and no one wanted as beds.

Who's behind the mask?

 

Rose and Michael continue to get creative and let us join in the fun.

Coucou La Coué on our Sunday stroll.

While out for a very cold walk on Saturday we met  up with some of our neighbours who were also braving the freezing temperatures. We discussed some of the local walks during which the subject of  La Coué came up, a little hameau we had visited during a previous Patrimoine weekend and the fact that it might be a good place to include as part of our walks. 

So as yesterday's weather took a turn for the better I had a quick look at how we could include it. It meant walking along the main road towards Chambon before taking a left up a road marked as a dead-end, something that Pauline finds less than inspiring. Even my reassuring her that their would probably be a path to continue on didn't convince her. There was and it meant we did not have to trespass  through the farm the road had led us to. As we headed further into the countryside I was less sure of exactly where we were but a small group of houses to our left looked like a likely target but again Pauline felt it was only leading to a private dwelling and as you can see from the distance she put between us was again showing a degree of reluctance.

As luck would have it it proved to be the right choice and as we arrived we recognised we had in fact arrived at La Coué. 

Here is the 15th century house that had brought us here for a visit during Patrimone weekend. 

From here it was back via the Chaumussay road to Barrou which looks towards John and Maureen's little hameau.

Mon banc dominical / My Sunday Bench in the 'jardin des amoureux'

 

Bench we set up as picnic table on Valentine's day 2019 in the 'jardin des amoureux' in Saint Valentin over in Indre.

What does February mean to you?

 

Vendredi à vélo - bikes for sale and not!

Vendredi à vélo - for sale at brocante in Abilly - in tandem of course. Recall trying to buy two other bikes on the day only to find they belonged to the kids in the house they were leaning against

Simple freedoms...

 

This time last year we were taking advantage of crisp February days to walk with the local Randonnée Club unaware of what lay ahead of us. Simple freedoms like being able to walk in the countryside with friends now lost to us. Pauline and I were just about to head down to my brother's in Provence and would only just make it back the day before the first lockdown.

Should I be giving myself a shake?

 

Have returned the project at La Guerche as there is still two rooms to finish,like the one above, which will be a sitting room/spare bedroom when it ever gets finished. It is scary to think that we have now had the project for nearly five years - not sure what the locals must think as externally not a great deal has changed. We have made progress internally but now need to turn our attention to the two remaining rooms and then face the task of attacking what is going to be a financially challenging facade and courtyard.  

Mon banc dominical / My Sunday Bench, Barrou bench in February

 

Blast from the past - February 2019

 

Anticipating another dreich February day today, it's important to remember that it isn't always like this. Was looking back on Februarys past and yes it has had its  moments of extremes but it can also be a month of clear skies and pleasant temperatures. These pics. are from 2019 when we sat with Dave on his terrace in Chaumussay on a lovely Sunday afternoon/evening and raised a glass to fond memories. 

Vendredi à vélo - spotted in Loches

 

Ada keeps in touch...

 

Ada has sent all the immediate family a card - we were delighted to receive ours yesterday - it is lovely that she has taken the trouble to write!

A winter's scene...

 

Over the plan d'eau at La Celle-Guenand

Images from our Sunday stroll...

 

The river is creeping up...